He sees no reflection as he stares out the window tonight. Only her. A big red bow atop cascading blonde curls. He doesn't feel the cool night air, only the warmth from the hearth and her toothless grin. She is six, and when she says, "Merry Christmas, Daddy," he feels a joy so deep it hurts. It's the most beautiful kind of pain...the kind that comes from the heart reaching what was thought to be its capacity. She is six, not fifty-eight. She doesn't live five hundered miles away, but in the bedroom down the hall. He doesn't hear, "leave a message and I'll get back to you." Instead, her silly giggles fill the air. He smiles, his head resting against the pillow. Tonight he's not in room 29. Tonight, she is six, and for a little while, he is home.
                                                    
                                                         a little snow
                                                         left on the windowsill-
                                                         silent night
                                                                     
                                                                  ***

I've been absent for a little while. I'm happy to report that we had a wonderful Christmas, and that experiencing this holiday as a mother is a gift in and of itself. I have some time off, and my daughter and I plan to visit a local nursing home next week. I did this last year with a group of my students. So many elderly people don't have visitors this time of year and it has always weighed heavily on my heart. Let's not forget those who don't have a way to get out and enjoy the season. Let's bring the spirit of the season to them where they are. A belated Merry Christmas to you all and a happy 2013. May your new year be filled with blessings and opportunities to BE a blessing to someone else.
Love,
Kristin



                                                     
                                                      
                                                         
                                                         

we count the first leaves, one...two...three- little arms wrapped around my leg for a season

Summer's last stand-
the maple cannot conceal
this August moon

salty on her lips,
the taste of summer
from his brow-
the longest day becomes
the longest night...

oasis-
little feet splash
in the kiddie pool

(Summer off with my children=priceless.)

honeysuckle scent
on this warm breeze-
my nose
reminds my lips
of you.

April rain
beats softly against
my window-
showered by the thoughts
I almost missed...


-This spring has proven to be a VERY busy time for me. Then tonight, I suddenly thought of all I was missing by letting this beautiful, green, stormy, sunny, magnificent season pass me by without picking up the pen and paper. So here I am with this little offering of words. Here's to new life!

Much love, Kristin

visited by
an ache I can't name-
winter moon

this false spring
takes me back to
another season-
when did I stop
wearing mittens?

(I'm trying to get back in the groove. Nothing like 60 degrees in February to get my creativity flowing...)

Sorry for my long absence, dear friends! It has been a very busy couple of months for this wife, mother, and teacher. Last month, I celebrated two very significant milestones in my life. I turned thirty and celebrated ten years of marriage with my wonderful husband. I didn't realize that we were too young to get married back then. Ha!!! I suppose a decade is enough to prove that we did something right despite our youth and inexperience! :) I will write again soon, but in the mean time, I wish everyone a happy 2012. God bless.